The Haunted Stream area
has a long history which
is of interest to the Omeo Historical Society because
the area lies within what was the Omeo Shire. The society was named
when the shire existed and so, like some other local groups, the
name Omeo actually refers to the whole (old) Omeo Shire, not just
the town.

The water is still a bit
dirty, the fire here quite hot.

Why this area is
suddenly becoming a focus is because in the same way that the
extensive 2003 fires exposed the amazing and forgotten extent of old
mining activities and settlements so it has happened again following
the 2006-07 fires but this time in the Haunted Stream area.

Mines are
everywhere, this one goes under the road with vertical risers
up the hill on high side of road. This is the mine being test
drilled (below)

Haunted Stream valley
experienced very hot fires in
some places, much cooler in others and some was
not burnt at all but the overall effect has been to lay
bare the signs of old settlement and the mining relics
that might still remain. The area has been scavenged
for scrap metal over the years and of course souvenir hunters
have been active.
So what remains might only be a bare patch and an old chimney or
fireplace or the stub of a water wheel with its rockwork and
it is that which has become very apparent in the post fire period.

Drilling had happened in the last
day or two, the drill rig was a kilometer
or so ahead at the Sterling township site.

So, the Omeo Historical
Society has been keen to get in and have a look at the earliest
opportunity and that has occurred in May 2007 with an invitation to
accompany DSE officers on, firstly an inspection, but followed by
some assistance to Map the area. They are using GPS equipment to
locate the sites of interest so that at a future time they can again
be accessed and more thoroughly studied. The society assistance with
mapping has been limited but our duty is also to try and make sure
that the relevant authorities pay the proper level of attention to
what is a very significant and interesting area. Hence we have this
site which will attempt to provide a story of what has and will take
place. We hope you will find it of interest and please, if you are
able to add to the story in any way
email here

Please use the following
links to see the rest of the
story which will be updated as often as is practical.

Sites of buildings are everywhere,
mostly close to the road. Bridal tracks
lead off up most gullies and ridges. The sound of logging taking
place up
on the Angora Range is quite clear at times.